E974 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks July 6, 2018 RECOGNIZING THE WASHINGTON Police Officer III John Romack, Montgomery fore becoming an Inspector then Director in REGIONAL ALCOHOL PROGRAM County Department of Police January 1992. As Director, he assumed the LAW ENFORCEMENT AWARDS OF Police Officer First Class Richard D. Carlson command of 1,448 commissioned officers. He EXCELLENCE RECIPIENTS III, Prince George’s County Police Department ran for Shelby County Sheriff as a Democrat Officer Matthew Sciabica, Prince William in 1998 but did not prevail. The following year, HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY County Police Department he began working as the second in command OF VIRGINIA Officer Benjamin Tomasiello, United States of the Tunica County Sheriffs Department dur- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Park Police ing federal corruption probe and, when the Friday, July 6, 2018 Trooper Lucie Vajglova, Virginia State Po- sheriff under indictment pleaded guilty to ex- lice tortion and resigned, Burgess ran the depart- Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join ment for almost a year until a successor was to recognize the Washington Regional Alcohol me in congratulating the recipients of the Law elected. He was commended by one federal Program (WRAP), and to congratulate the re- Enforcement Awards of Excellence and in rec- prosecutor for ‘‘coming in and righting the cipients of the 20th Annual Law Enforcement ognizing WRAP for its 35 years of public serv- ship.’’ He also worked as chief of security for Awards of Excellence for Impaired Driving ice. I commend the staff of WRAP, under the Harrah’s Casino in Tunica. Mr. Burgess was a Prevention. leadership of President Kurt Erickson and true man of character and integrity whom I Founded in 1982, WRAP is an award-win- Board Chairman Gary Cohen, for their tireless grew to know and admire while I was the legal ning, public-private coalition formed to fight dedication to eradicating underage drinking advisor to the Memphis Police Department. I drunk driving, drugged driving, and underage and drunk or drugged driving. Their efforts, want to extend my condolences to his wife of drinking in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan combined with the support of partner organiza- 43 years, Johanna; his son Shelby County region. Through educational and innovative tions and law enforcement agencies, have Commissioner Melvin Burgess II and his wife public outreach programs, WRAP is credited saved lives and are deserving of our highest Sandra; his daughter Pamela Nelson; and his with keeping local alcohol-related death rates praise and gratitude. four grandchildren. Melvin Burgess always did consistently below the national average. Its the right thing. His was a life well-lived, and he programs educate students and the general f will be missed. public on the dangers of alcohol and drugs, TRIBUTE TO BARBARA AND particularly driving while under the influence. STANLEY JOHNSON f Through the WRAP Holiday SoberRide pro- IN SUPPORT OF H.R. 5587 PEER gram, individuals who are impaired can re- HON. DAVID YOUNG SUPPORT COMMUNITIES OF RE- quest a free cab ride home. Since SoberRide OF IOWA COVERY ACT was launched in 1993, 65,385 free cab rides IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES have been provided in the Washington Metro- HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE politan area, preventing potential accidents Friday, July 6, 2018 OF TEXAS and deaths. Mr. YOUNG of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I rise IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES In 1982, the year that WRAP was founded, today to recognize and honor Barbara and 26,173 people in the United States lost their Stanley Johnson of Villisca, Iowa on the very Friday, July 6, 2018 lives in alcohol-related car accidents, and 60 special occasion of their 50th wedding anni- Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in percent of all traffic fatalities involved drunk versary. They celebrated their anniversary on strong support of H.R. 5587, the Peer Support driving. Due to the tireless efforts of WRAP, June 10, 2018. Communities of Recovery. other organizations such as MADD and Barbara and Stanley’s lifelong commitment H.R. 5587 provides for the establishment of SADD, local and state police, and enforce- to each other and their family truly embodies regional assistance centers to implement ad- ment of more stringent anti-drunk driving laws, Iowa values. As they reflect on their 50th anni- diction recovery support services throughout considerable progress has been made in de- versary, I hope it is filled with happy memo- an individual’s treatment. creasing the number of alcohol-related traffic ries. May their commitment grow even strong- Everyday, over 100 people in the United fatalities, especially here in the Washington er, as they continue to love, cherish, and States die from opioid related drug overdoses, Metropolitan Region. According to the Council honor one another for many years to come. while over 11.5 million people misuse pre- of Governments, the number of alcohol-im- Mr. Speaker, I commend this great couple scription opioids. paired fatalities, injuries, and crashes have all on their 50th year together and I wish them In 2016, the Centers for Disease Control decreased since 2014. However, more work many more. I ask that my colleagues in the and Prevention (CDC) report cited 63,632 still remains as 32.75 percent of all traffic fa- United States House of Representatives join drug overdose deaths in the U.S., with a lin- talities in the region in 2016 were alcohol or me in congratulating them on this momentous early increasing trend. drug related. occasion. In Texas, there were 1,375 opioid-related Since 1997, WRAP has sponsored an an- f overdose deaths and within Houston alone, nual Law Enforcement Awards Ceremony to there were 364 drug-related overdose deaths honor local law enforcement professionals IN REMEMBRANCE OF MELVIN T. that happened in 2016 according to the Treat- who have gone above and beyond the call of BURGESS, SR. ment Center. duty in the fight against drunk driving. It is my The U.S. is going through a serious drug honor to include in the RECORD the names of HON. STEVE COHEN abuse epidemic and the resources available the 2017 Law Enforcement Awards of Excel- OF TENNESSEE for recovering addicts are currently limited in lence for Impaired Driving Prevention recipi- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES variability. ents: Peer support services are unique in that Officer Wesley Vitale, City of Alexandria Po- Friday, July 6, 2018 they allow for individuals with common experi- lice Department Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to re- ences to share their stories of recovery with Master Police Officer Dimitrios Mastoras, Ar- call the excellent life of Melvin T. Burgess, Sr., the people who might be seeking help. lington County Police Department who served his community in various capac- Through self-help and shared support, peo- Corporal Kevin Hedden, City of Falls Church ities for 56 years and died June 28 at the age ple are able to offer strength and hope to their Police Department Officer Devin White, Fairfax County Police of 80. Mr. Burgess served for 33 years with peers, which allows for personal growth, pro- Department the Memphis Police Department, the final two motes wellness, and encourages recovery. Private First Class Eliezer Calo, Town of and a half years as Police Director. Mr. Bur- Examples of peer support include: peer Herndon Police Department gess was a graduate of Booker T. Washington mentoring or coaching; peer recovery resource Deputy John Chavez, Loudoun County High School after which he joined the U.S. Air connecting; recovery group facilitation; and Sheriff’s Office Force. He was also a graduate of Grambling community building. Trooper Dennis Moguche, Maryland State State University in Grambling, Louisiana. Mr. In Houston, we have peer support programs Police Burgess joined the Memphis Police Depart- that exist for both adults and youth through Officer Derrick Ferguson, Metropolitan Po- ment on March 12, 1962, starting off in the the Houston Health Department and Houston lice Department Beale Street Precinct as a beat officer. He Recovery Center. Police Officer II Lawrence Caldwell, Mont- rose through the ranks, working in the juve- H.R. 5587 authorizes programs, similar to gomery County Department of Police nile, robbery, narcotics and homicide units be- the ones that are having a positive impact in

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:30 Jul 07, 2018 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A06JY8.016 E06JYPT1 July 6, 2018 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E975 Houston, to be established across the country congratulating him on receiving the 2018 Amma is beloved by many as a Hindu saint, to serve other communities. Prince William Chamber of Commerce Bronze and has a large following in my district. Her I urge my colleagues to join me in sup- Medal of Valor Award. The selfless act of her- humanitarian efforts have been recognized porting H.R. 5587 to ensure that we are ad- oism by Trooper West merits our highest and celebrated by, among others, Congress- dressing substance abuse in the United States praise. I thank Trooper West, as well as all man DANNY DAVIS, Congressman BILL FOS- as efficiently as possible. Virginia State Police law enforcement profes- TER, Governor Pat Quinn, Cook County Board f sionals, for their dedication and commitment to President Toni Preckwinkle, and President RECOGNIZING TROOPER II BRAN- the protection of our communities. Jimmy Carter. Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize Amma’s DON WEST AS THE 2018 PRINCE f selfless and compassionate devotion to all WILLIAM CHAMBER OF COM- TRIBUTE TO NORMA AND KENNY people, and her work to bring peace and un- MERCE BRONZE MEDAL OF ARCHER derstanding to our world. VALOR RECIPIENT HON. DAVID YOUNG f HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY OF IOWA IN SUPPORT OF H.R. 5197 ALTER- OF VIRGINIA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NATIVES TO OPIOIDS (ALTO) IN IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT Friday, July 6, 2018 Friday, July 6, 2018 ACT Mr. YOUNG of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I rise Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to com- today to recognize and honor Norma and mend 2018 Bronze Medal of Valor Trooper II HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE Kenny Archer of Honey Creek, Iowa on the OF TEXAS Brandon D. West for his extraordinary service very special occasion of their 60th wedding IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and superior dedication to public safety he dis- anniversary. They celebrated their anniversary plays on a daily basis. on June 9, 2018 at the Archer Farm in Honey Friday, July 6, 2018 For the past 32 years, the Prince William Creek. Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in Chamber of Commerce has paid tribute to our Norma and Kenny’s lifelong commitment to strong support of H.R. 5197, the Alternatives police officers, firefighters, and emergency each other and their family truly embodies to Opioids in the Emergency Department Act, personnel for their extraordinary service. Each Iowa values. As they reflect on their 60th anni- or the ALTO Act. year, we gather to recognize the remarkable versary, I hope it is filled with happy memo- Mr. Speaker, our nation faces an opioid cri- heroism and bravery above and beyond the ries. May their commitment grow even strong- sis. line of duty exemplified by our public safety er, as they continue to love, cherish, and H.R. 5197, the ALTO Act, directs the Sec- and law enforcement professionals. honor one another for many years to come. retary of Health and Human Services to con- In 2014, Trooper West received the Virginia Mr. Speaker, I commend this great couple duct a demonstration program to test alter- State Police Superintendent’s Award of Honor, on their 60th year together and I wish them native pain management protocols to limit the the American Red Cross Lifesaving Award, many more. I ask that my colleagues in the use of opioids in hospitals and emergency de- and the Prince William Chamber of Commerce United States House of Representatives join partments. Silver Medal of Valor Award for his bravery, me in congratulating them on this momentous Opioids contributed to the deaths of more selflessness, and quick action in rescuing an occasion. than 42,000 people in 2016, more than any individual and his dog before their disabled ve- f year on official record. hicle was engulfed in flames. These are just a Forty percent of all opioid overdose deaths few of the honors and awards bestowed to RECOGNIZING SRI VIJAYESHWARI involve a prescription opioid. Trooper West in recognition of his dedication DEVI The economic burden of prescription opioid to public safety. misuse in the United States is estimated to be During a shift in 2017, Trooper West was HON. RAJA KRISHNAMOORTHI $78.5 billion dollars per year. stationary on Interstate 95 northbound at the OF ILLINOIS This figure includes costs stemming from Occoquan Bridge when he saw a Dodge pick- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES health care, including addiction treatment, lost up truck with a large trailer pull to the right Friday, July 6, 2018 productivity, and criminal justice involvement. shoulder of the bridge. Trooper West pro- Over 200 million opioid prescriptions are ceeded to the location. Fairfax Communica- Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Mr. Speaker, written in the United States each year, and 2 tions sent out a call for a safety service to re- today I rise to recognize Sri Vijayeshwari Devi, million Americans have the symptoms of sub- spond and informed Trooper West that an ad- known to her many admirers as Amma Sri stance use disorder. ditional request for rescue services had been Karunamayi or ‘‘Amma,’’ for her exemplary ef- Approximately 21 to 29 percent of patients dispatched. Upon his arrival to the scene, a forts in bringing peace and understanding not prescribed opioids for chronic pain misuse passenger informed Trooper West that the only to the people of India, but to all nations. them. driver was injured. Trooper West found the Amma was born in the Indian state of An- In Texas, 4 percent of the population reports driver pale and in possible shock. Seeing a dhra Pradesh. As a child, she was drawn to a using pain relievers for non-medical purposes. large amount of blood on the floorboard, spiritual existence, and spent most of her Harris County, which contains my home dis- Trooper West realized a broken drive shaft young adult life absorbed in prayer and medi- trict, has a pain medication misuse rate of had come through the floor of the pickup, tation. After a period of intense reflection, 3.91 percent. striking the driver and severing part of his leg. Amma began a life of advocacy for the poor The time for action is now. Trooper West applied a tourniquet to the driv- and disenfranchised, publicly speaking H.R. 5197, the ALTO Act, directs Health er’s leg to slow the loss of blood. The tour- throughout India on the issues of nonviolence, and Human Services to carry out a 3–year niquet kept slipping, so Trooper West held the equality, and respect for all people regardless demonstration program which awards grants tourniquet in place until rescue services ar- of gender, religion, race or social status. Her to hospitals and emergency departments to rived and applied a second tourniquet. Ulti- teachings have led her across the globe, develop, implement, enhance, or study alter- mately, the driver was flown from the scene in speaking to countless followers and per- native pain management protocols and treat- good condition, thanks to Trooper West’s res- forming humanitarian work wherever the need ments that promote the appropriate limited use cue efforts. is greatest. of opioids. In recognition of his act of valor, extraor- To realize her vision of a more just world, Emergency departments in several States, dinary dedication, and outstanding perform- Amma and her organization offer a host of including in New Jersey and Colorado, have ance under unusually difficult circumstances, it services to underserved men, women and chil- developed innovative programs to more widely is my honor to include in the RECORD Bronze dren in the United States, India and Africa. utilize non-opioid pain treatments to reduce Medal for Valor Award recipient, Trooper These services include organizing and pro- the use of opioids. Brandon D. West of the Virginia State Police. viding, among other things, free medical care, We must learn from these attempts and ini- Trooper West has exemplified the noble mis- clean water, free education, free food, leprosy tiate a national program to limit the overuse of sion of all law-enforcement officers: to protect care, and wheelchair distribution. Amma be- opioids in emergency settings. and serve in the line of duty. lieves in pursuing sustainable development However, it is important to realize that some Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues join me in that enable families trapped in poverty to give groups, such as African Americans, are under- recognizing Trooper II Brandon D. West and in a better future to their children. prescribed pain management medications.

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